I would appreciate any guidance possible. I am 68, hypertension, had a renal mass found in 2019, needle biopsy showed a benign tumor oncocytoma and it was in too dangerous a location to resect. Once it started growing, I was then told that both this tumor and cancers could grow at a similar pace. Got multiple opinions, some believed in needle biopsy and some did not since still a small chance of cancer. My local MD who believes in needle biopsy tried to reassure me saying 98% chance no cancer which meant possible 2% cancer chance. I was told multiple times after nephrectomy, the other kidney compensates. Strong family history of cancer so finally decided to have the surgery a few months ago. Preop by EGFR was 80 and creatinine 1. My postop EGFR 48-54 depending on cystatin versus creatinine calc? My creatinine was initially 1.2, now 1.1 but not sure if it went down because I drank more that day. I am devastated and worry all day as it seems I traded one possible issue (pathology ended up showing benign tumor) for a worries about my future and kidney disease. Now, I learn only 1/2 of folks get higher egfr after nephrectomy but I was never warned. What can I do now? I have increased to drinking 8 glasses of water or herbal tea or decaffeinated tea a day. I mostly eat salmon, shrimp, tuna and veggies, some cheese. Should I be cutting down the protein? Otherwise, I feel good aside for blaming myself for making this decision and worrying about needing dialysis in my future....
Kidney not compensating after recent nephre... - Kidney Disease
Kidney not compensating after recent nephrectomy
Dont worry & move forward! You may find the post below re CKD with 1 kidney interesting
healthunlocked.com/nkf-ckd/....
But note that the blog I referred to has the most relevant information (with scientific evidence linked etc) has been deleted by an Administrator (!!).
Basically my mum's post-nephrectomy, surviving kidney did compensate to an egfr above her pre-op, 2 kidneys but has since returned to a figure a bit closer to normal for single kidneys. That figure is in the blog and is approximately yours.
Should I be cutting down the protein? My mum has moderate protein and I can send another scientific report which indicates that protein intake restriction is overdone, at least at stage 3, the same stage for you and mum. She follows a Nutritional Therapy protocol and remains at stage 3 after 14y i.e. before & after the nephrectomy.
Thank you so much for your very helpful reply. How old was your mom when she had the nephrectomy and wondering also if she had hypertension since she did initially improve her egfr? You mentioned on the link that her egfr increased to the 70s so she improved to a level 2 post surgery. Mostly, interested in over the 14 years from before and after the nephrectomy how much of that time was she a level 3? I really appreciate your time. I would be interested in any information you have about diet. God bless you and your mom.
Mum was 61 at nephrectomy, just 69 now. She had hypertension for many years which doubtless contributed to the CKD despite bp medication. But, once established on the Nutritional Therapy protocol, she was able to wean off it. Been drug-free for several years and bp ~124/78. She's always been ckd3.
The blog may help answer more of your questions but therapy including diet should be individualised.
That she is off BP meds at this point in her life is impressive. It must say something about her diet, exercise…..What is meant by nutritional therapy protocol? I read vegan diet is better for the kidney.
Here's a link including an outline of what NT is from the UK body that regulates NT practitioners bant.org.uk/
As indicated, it's for overall health. Whilst not specific to CKD, optimisation of health is key so should help the body manage any chronic disease.
Thanks userotc very much.
I think there is no reason to worry. Your creatinine is perfect. The second kidney would take the load and normalize in a couple of months.
I have stopped kidney dialysis as of May 2024....I have been receiving multiple myeloma treatment for two years...my kidney is rebounding to 20% function...I am blessed. I still respect my kidney disease and see my nephrologist and hemotologist/oncologist regularly.My church continues to pray for me.
I just joined this group yesterday but already love you guys. I don't know what will happen but I see there is hope and it is hard to predict. The nephrologist said my kidney already compensated and it won't get better but I have learned from all of you. Thank you so much.
The other issue I learned about is challenge of having either MRI or CT with contrast now.
Another thing I wish they told me. Luckily I don't need anything now but if anyone of you have how did you handle?
I had an MRI with contrast about six months ago. I was very nervous about that but it turns out my EGFR was exactly the same before and after the MRI.
Did they do anything different than anyone else? What is your egfr? Thank you.
Be warned about UserOTC and his nutritional therapy. According to another poster who's usually all over his posts, his story is not completely honest and he profits somehow from the NT and his father may be involved somehow.
That said, I would agree, you have no need to worry, its perfectly normal for eGFR to dip for a while after any significant illness or surgery. Still, it would be wise to find out what type of things do damage kidneys, like high BP and certain drugs. Also it never hurts to improve your diet, like stay away from red meat and eat more fruits and veggies. Good luck, and thanks for posting.
Thank you for the warning
No need to worry, older people tend not to get the compensatory hypertrophy in the remaining kidney. This is not bad. Hypertrophy makes the kidney work harder and this is not necessary good.
If you have no albumin in the urine your kidney is healthy
Thank you. No albumin in urine. Are there any nephroprotective drugs that show efficacy in slowing kidney deterioration that are acceptable in this situation-read about some in the medical literature.
For me the huge question is if no complicating factors aside from age and controlled HBP, if diet is reasonable and even vegan, are the chances of needing or not needing dialysis in my lifetime (optimistically over 20 years)
really no need to worry.
A healthy lifestyle is all you need to do
Vegan diets are very kidney friendly
Declining Kidney Function
Kidney Disease stage 3a
Possible Kidney Failure
Kidney problems on and of for three plus years
MY CKD JOURNEY..FROM EGFR OF 11 TO EGFR OF 84.. FROM AKI 5 TO CKD 2.. STRUGGLING WITH LOW SODIUM LEVELS.
